Medicaid has denied the family's appeal to cover the costs of surgery -- which will run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars -- deeming it experimental.

But donations are giving the family a chance at a Christmas miracle. By Thursday morning, more than $16,000 had been donated to the Seth Benjamin Fund. By 8 p.m. Thursday, that amount had grown to $110,000.

"I cannot express my gratitude, in words, how grateful I am to the Chicagoland area for all that they have done for Seth," said the boy's father, Tim Petreikis.

Anyone interested in helping can submit contributions to the Seth Benjamin fund at any Citizen's Financial Bank, account No. 2847677. Donations can also be made through the family's website, SethBenjamin.org.